Hermes Extraordinary Collection, Shiny Orange H Nilo Crocodile Birkin bag

Image Courtesy: Heritage Auctions

 

The classic Hermès Birkins ruled the top ten slots at the Spring Luxury Accessories Auction, conducted by Heritage Auctions in New York.

A trio of Hermès Birkins’ were auctioned for more than $340,000, forming a high-fashion trinity atop Heritage Auction’s $2.5+ million Spring Luxury Accessories Auction, held on April 18 and 19, 2016, in New York.

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $850 million, and 950,000+ online bidder members.

Hermès, the heritage luxury brand that has been holding on to its exclusivity, has often proved to be the gold standard in luxury auction. The top 20 lots in the Spring Luxury Accessories Auction were monopolized by the iconic bags from the world’s most exclusive fashion atelier. Right at the top of the stylish bag pile were the Birkin Bags, which are handmade in leather, named after actress and singer  Jane Birkin and are considered symbols of wealth due to their high price and demand by celebrities.

 

Hermes Limited Edition, Matte So Black Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag

Image Courtesy: Heritage Auctions

 

Right at the top of the lot due to the price it achieved – $125,000 – was an extremely rare Limited Edition 30cm Matte So Black Nilo Crocodile Birkin. An Extraordinary Collection 30cm Diamond, Matte Black Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag, with precious18k white gold hardware, netted Heritage Auctions $118,750, while a Matte White Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag, in 35cm size, led to some spirited bidding, ultimately selling at $100,000.

“Astute collectors and bidders took note of this carefully curated auction,” said Diane D’Amato, Director of Luxury Accessories at Heritage Auctions. “Following a busy weekend of previews on the Upper East Side, the bidding was brisk for the 600 lots offered, comprising of Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Judith Leiber and additional premier designers.”

The collectors were also enthusiastic about bidding for an Hermès Extraordinary Collection 25cm Diamond, Shiny Orange H Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with 18K white gold hardware, considered a masterpiece of craftsmanship, which attracted the final bid of $75,000. Matching $50,000 final prices were realized for three “shiny” bags: an Hermès 25cm Shiny Blue Brighton Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium hardware, an Hermès 30cm Shiny Geranium Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with gold hardware and an Hermès 35cm Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium hardware.

 

Hermes Matte White Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag

Image Courtesy: Heritage Auctions

 

 Hermès  dominated the top 10 slots due to their impeccable craftsmanship and the fineness of the material used, with an Hermès 30cm Matte Fauve Barenia Alligator Birkin Bag with Palladium hardware, which realized $46,250, and an Hermès 25cm Shiny Vert Fonce Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium hardware and an Hermès 30cm Shiny Rose Shocking Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium pardware, both of which realized final prices of $45,000. Hermès bags are known to hold their value, ensuring that they are looked at as great investments by luxury buyers.

In the luxury industry, the segment of collectors who collect special, unique, stand-out pieces of accessories, like jewelry and bags, is increasing, and the accessories auctions are seeing enthusiastic bidding. There is a growing interest in unusual colors and materials.